A serial multicast communication system and method across multiple devices

Abstract

The application provides a serial port multicast communication system and method across multiple devices, and relates to the field of industrial automation communication.The system comprises multiple serial port servers, multiple controlled devices, multiple control display screens and an upper computer.The serial port servers are connected through network communication, the control display screens are connected with the serial port servers, the controlled devices are connected with the serial port servers, and the upper computer is connected with the serial port servers.The serial port server comprises a capability announcement channel, a control channel, a data channel, a control unit and a serial port data forwarding unit.The capability announcement channel is used for transmitting capability announcement signaling and device discovery signaling to similar devices.The control channel is used for transmitting control signaling to similar devices.The data channel is used for serial port data forwarding to similar devices.The control unit is used for processing and transmitting control signaling from the control channel.The serial port data forwarding unit is used for maintaining a serial port data routing table according to user configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of industrial automation communication, and in particular to a serial port multicast communication system and method for multiple devices. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, many industrial automation applications still utilize industrial buses such as RS485 / 422 / 232 and CAN to achieve industrial automation data acquisition and control. Based on the data acquisition and control requirements of Industry 4.0, industrial sites use serial port servers / CAN servers to connect industrial buses and Ethernet.

[0003] In practical applications, it is necessary to simultaneously copy and distribute data from one serial port to multiple serial ports. Implementing serial port multicast on a single serial port server is relatively easy. However, when an N-port serial port server is needed, how can this problem be solved if an N-port serial port server cannot be obtained in a short time? Chinese patent CN102546840A, "Method, Apparatus and System for Binding Virtual Serial Ports and Physical Serial Ports," discloses a method for binding virtual and physical serial ports. It manages the mapping relationship between virtual and physical serial port object nodes through the data structure of the virtual serial port context, thereby achieving a one-to-many binding between virtual and physical serial ports. However, this method requires virtual serial port software on a third-party device and only involves data communication with the host computer; the association relationship between serial port servers is unknown, and neighbor information is unavailable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes a serial port multicast communication system and method for multiple devices, which can realize the function of data forwarding between different serial port servers without the need to add additional third-party devices.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a serial port multicast communication system across multiple devices. The system includes multiple serial port servers, multiple controlled devices, multiple control displays and a host computer. The multiple serial port servers are connected to each other through network communication. The control displays are connected to the serial port servers, the controlled devices are connected to the serial port servers, and the host computer is connected to the serial port servers.

[0006] The serial port server includes a capability announcement channel, a control channel, a data channel, a control unit, and a serial port data forwarding unit;

[0007] The capability notification channel is communicatively connected to the control unit and is used to transmit capability notification signaling and device discovery signaling to similar devices.

[0008] The control channel is communicatively connected to the control unit and is used to transmit control signals to similar devices;

[0009] The data channel is communicatively connected to the serial port data forwarding unit and is used to forward serial port data to similar devices.

[0010] The control unit is communicatively connected to the control channel and the capability announcement channel, and is used to process and send control signaling from the control channel;

[0011] The serial port data forwarding unit is connected to the data channel and is used to maintain the serial port data routing table according to user configuration.

[0012] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the serial port server establishes a connection with its respective host computer that needs to communicate.

[0013] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the multiple serial port servers are connected via network communication, and the connection methods include Bluetooth, serial port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, NFC and Zigbee.

[0014] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the capability notification signaling includes the serial port server IP address, the serial port server's unique identification code, the number of serial ports, the serial port working type, and the serial port parameters.

[0015] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message through the capability announcement channel, and other serial port servers reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel after receiving the signaling message sent by the device.

[0016] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the serial port data routing table includes the source device IP address, the source device source serial port number, the destination device IP address, the destination device destination serial port number, and the forwarding priority.

[0017] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a serial port multicast communication method across multiple devices, comprising the following steps:

[0018] S1, After the serial port server is powered on, it transmits capability announcement signaling to other serial port servers through the capability announcement channel;

[0019] S2, the serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message. After receiving the signaling message sent by the device, other serial port servers in the local area network reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel.

[0020] S3, start data communication, control the display screen to send control commands, send data to the serial port server. After receiving the data, any serial port of the serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table through the serial port data forwarding unit and forwards the data to another arbitrary serial port, the host computer or another serial port server.

[0021] When the serial port data forwarding unit of another serial port server receives data from the serial port server, the other serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table. If there is a corresponding forwarding entry, it forwards the data packet to the designated serial port; otherwise, it discards the data packet.

[0022] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, step S1 specifically includes:

[0023] The number of other serial port servers includes one or more.

[0024] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, step S2 specifically includes:

[0025] All serial port servers periodically send keepalive heartbeat messages to indicate the current health status of the serial port servers;

[0026] After receiving capability announcement signals from other serial port servers, the serial port server displays the neighboring nodes, the number of serial ports on each node, and the capabilities of each serial port on the configuration page.

[0027] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, step S3 specifically includes:

[0028] When the serial port server's serial port data forwarding unit receives data from multiple serial ports simultaneously, it sorts the data according to forwarding priority and prioritizes forwarding data with higher forwarding priority.

[0029] The serial multicast communication system and method for multiple devices according to the present invention have the following advantages over the prior art:

[0030] (1) By setting up a capability announcement channel, control channel, data channel, control unit and serial port data forwarding unit on the serial port server, the identification, command control and data forwarding between different serial port servers are realized, and the serial port data forwarding function across multiple devices is realized.

[0031] (2) By using multiple serial port servers with few serial ports simultaneously, the function of a single multi-serial port server is realized. Through the serial port data forwarding unit and the serial port data routing table, data from any serial port of one serial port server is forwarded to any serial port of another serial port server, thereby replacing the function of a single multi-serial port server.

[0032] (3) Each serial port server sends messages periodically to indicate its own health status. After receiving the capability notification signal from other servers, it will also display the neighboring nodes, the number of serial ports of the nodes and the capability of each serial port on the configuration interface, which strengthens the information communication between serial port servers and avoids data silos.

[0033] (4) When the serial port data forwarding unit of the serial port server receives data from multiple serial ports at the same time, it sorts the data according to the forwarding priority, prioritizes forwarding data with higher forwarding priority, avoids forwarding abnormalities, and ensures that high-priority data is forwarded first, so as to realize hierarchical management of data forwarding. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a serial multicast communication system across multiple devices according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a serial port multicast communication method across multiple devices according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] Provide a serial multicast communication system that spans multiple devices, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes multiple serial port servers, multiple controlled devices, multiple control displays and a host computer. The multiple serial port servers are connected to each other via network communication, the control displays are connected to the serial port servers, the controlled devices are connected to the serial port servers, and the host computer is connected to the serial port servers.

[0040] The serial port server includes a capability announcement channel, a control channel, a data channel, a control unit, and a serial port data forwarding unit;

[0041] The capability announcement channel is communicatively connected to the control unit and is used to transmit capability announcement signaling and device discovery signaling to similar devices.

[0042] The control channel is connected to the control unit and is used to transmit control signals to similar devices;

[0043] The data channel is connected to the serial port data forwarding unit for forwarding serial port data to similar devices.

[0044] The control unit is communicatively connected to the control channel and the capability announcement channel for processing and sending control signaling from the control channel;

[0045] The serial port data forwarding unit is connected to the data channel and is used to maintain the serial port data routing table according to user configuration.

[0046] The serial port data forwarding unit is responsible for maintaining a serial port data routing table according to the user's configuration, and multicasting data from a certain serial port to other serial ports on the local machine, as well as forwarding it to the specified serial port of other serial port servers through the network, according to the serial port data routing table.

[0047] This system contains at least two serial port server devices, which we will assume to be "Serial Port Server 01" and "Serial Port Server 02". "Serial Port Server 01" and "Serial Port Server 02" have the same structure. For simplicity, the data channel, control channel, and capability announcement channel of "Serial Port Server 02" are not shown. This system is not limited to the case of only two serial port server devices.

[0048] Each serial port server establishes a connection with its respective host computer that needs to communicate, without affecting the others.

[0049] Multiple serial servers are connected via network communication to perform necessary signaling communication; this connection method can be, but is not limited to, Bluetooth, serial port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Zigbee.

[0050] Each serial port server has a capability announcement channel to announce its existence and functions to similar devices; each serial port server has a control channel for transmitting control signals with similar devices; and each serial port server has a data channel for forwarding serial port data with similar devices.

[0051] Based on needs and the processing capacity of the serial port server, 1-N data channels can be created, corresponding to different data forwarding priorities. The highest priority data channel can be used to forward ordinary data under normal circumstances, and only very urgent forwarding data is sent when data congestion occurs, similar to a bus lane during peak hours.

[0052] The capability announcement signaling includes the serial port server IP address, the serial port server's unique identifier, the number of serial ports, the serial port operating type, and the serial port parameters.

[0053] The unique identifier of the serial port server is formed by the following information through an algorithm: manufacturer ID, MAC address, SN code, device model code, etc.; 48-bit manufacturer ID + 48-bit MAC address + 16-character SN code + 16-character device model code.

[0054] Serial port operating types include RS232, RS485, and RS422.

[0055] Serial port parameters include baud rate, data bits, stop bits, parity, etc.

[0056] The serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message through the capability announcement channel. After receiving the signaling message sent by the device, other serial port servers reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel.

[0057] The serial port data routing table includes the source device IP address, the source device source serial port number, the destination device IP address, the destination device destination serial port number, and the forwarding priority.

[0058] The device sends this signaling message through the capability announcement channel. Through this signaling message, the device announces its own existence and its capabilities, such as the number of serial ports, serial port operating modes, serial port baud rate, data bits, parity, and other parameters. The device can send this signaling message after restarting, periodically, upon capability changes, or upon receiving a device discovery signaling message.

[0059] A device sends a device discovery signaling message via a capability announcement channel using broadcast or multicast. After receiving the device discovery signaling message, other similar devices on the local area network that support this protocol reply with a capability announcement signaling message via the capability announcement channel.

[0060] The system also includes serial port data forwarding signaling: the signaling is sent through the control channel. For example, if data from serial port 01 of serial port server 02 needs to be forwarded to serial port 4 of serial port server 01, then "serial port server 02" sends the serial port data forwarding signaling to "serial port server 01".

[0061] The system also includes serial port data routing table signaling: the signaling is sent through the control channel. If the user configures that data from serial port 1 of "serial port server 02" needs to be forwarded to serial port 4 of "serial port server 01", after the configuration is completed, "serial port server 02" will send serial port data routing table signaling to "serial port server 01".

[0062] Example 2

[0063] A serial multicast communication method across multiple devices is provided, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0064] S1, After the serial port server is powered on, it transmits capability announcement signaling to other serial port servers through the capability announcement channel;

[0065] S2, the serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message. After receiving the signaling message sent by the device, other serial port servers in the local area network reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel.

[0066] S3, start data communication, control the display screen to send control commands, send data to the serial port server. After receiving the data, any serial port of the serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table through the serial port data forwarding unit and forwards the data to another arbitrary serial port, the host computer or another serial port server.

[0067] When the serial port data forwarding unit of another serial port server receives data from the serial port server, the other serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table. If there is a corresponding forwarding entry, it forwards the data packet to the designated serial port; otherwise, it discards the data packet.

[0068] Step S1 specifically includes:

[0069] The number of other serial port servers includes one or more.

[0070] Here we assume there are two serial port server devices, "Serial Port Server 01" and "Serial Port Server 02".

[0071] Step S2 specifically includes:

[0072] All serial port servers periodically send keepalive heartbeat messages to indicate the current health status of the serial port servers;

[0073] After receiving capability announcement signals from other serial port servers, the serial port server displays the neighboring nodes, the number of serial ports on each node, and the capabilities of each serial port on the configuration page.

[0074] Step S3 specifically includes:

[0075] When the serial port server's serial port data forwarding unit receives data from multiple serial ports simultaneously, it sorts the data according to forwarding priority and prioritizes forwarding data with higher forwarding priority.

[0076] The specific process is as follows:

[0077] 1) After the "Serial Server 02" is powered on, it will announce its existence and capabilities through the capability announcement channel. When it receives a scanning command from other similar devices, it will announce its existence and capabilities. Capability announcements can be made several times after power-on, or customized announcements can be made, or a query-response method can be used.

[0078] 2) After the "Serial Server 01" is powered on, it will announce its existence and capabilities through the capability announcement channel. When it receives a scanning command from other similar devices, it will announce its existence and capabilities. Capability announcements can be made several times after power-on, or customized, or in a query-response manner.

[0079] The two servers mentioned above have the same structure, but in specific applications, they communicate with different control displays, controlled devices, and host computers.

[0080] 3) "Serial Server 01" sends a device discovery signaling message. When a similar device on the local area network that supports this protocol receives the device discovery signaling message, it replies with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel.

[0081] 4) Serial Server 01 and Serial Server 02 periodically send keepalive heartbeat messages to indicate their current health status;

[0082] 5) After receiving the capability announcement signal from the serial port server 01, the serial port server 02 will display the neighboring nodes, the number of serial ports of the nodes, and the capabilities of each serial port on its own configuration page.

[0083] 6) Users can configure the serial port 1 to send data to serial port 2, serial port 3 of this device, and serial port 4 of "serial port server 01" through the configuration page of "serial port server 02"; "serial port server 02" modifies and saves its own serial port data routing table according to the instructions.

[0084] 7) Serial port server 02 sends a serial port data forwarding signal to serial port server 01 (serial port 1) to forward data sent from serial port 1 to serial port 4. Serial port server 01 then modifies and saves its own serial port data routing table according to this instruction. In other words, serial port server 02 sends a serial port data routing table signal to serial port server 1.

[0085] 8) The device starts data communication. The "Control Display 06" issues control commands. The serial port 1 of the "Serial Port Server 02" receives the data and queries its own "Serial Port Data Multicast Forwarding Table" through the serial port data forwarding unit. The serial port data is then forwarded to the local serial port 2, the local serial port 6, the host computer, or forwarded to the "Serial Port Server 01" through the data channel between the device and the "Serial Port Server 01".

[0086] 9) After receiving serial data from "Serial Server 02", the serial data forwarding unit of "Serial Server 01" queries its own serial data routing table. If there is a corresponding forwarding entry, it forwards the data to the specified serial port; if no corresponding forwarding entry is found, the data packet is discarded.

[0087] When the "serial port data forwarding unit" receives data from multiple serial ports simultaneously, it sorts the data according to forwarding priority to ensure that high-priority data is forwarded first.

[0088] This method can be used to meet the needs of serial servers with up to 14 ports by using two 7-port serial servers, "Serial Server 01" and "Serial Server 02". Through relevant capability announcements, the serial servers can also see neighbor information on their own browser webpage, similar to the Network Neighborhood and network printer functions on Windows computers.

[0089] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A serial port multicast communication system across multiple devices, the system comprising multiple serial port servers, multiple controlled devices, multiple control displays and a host computer, wherein the multiple serial port servers are connected to each other via network communication, the control displays are connected to the serial port servers, the controlled devices are connected to the serial port servers, and the host computer is connected to the serial port servers. The serial port server includes a capability announcement channel, a control channel, a data channel, a control unit, and a serial port data forwarding unit; The capability notification channel is communicatively connected to the control unit and is used to transmit capability notification signaling and device discovery signaling to similar devices. The control channel is communicatively connected to the control unit and is used to transmit control signals to similar devices; The data channel is communicatively connected to the serial port data forwarding unit and is used to forward serial port data to similar devices. The control unit is communicatively connected to the control channel and the capability announcement channel, and is used to process and send control signaling from the control channel; The serial port data forwarding unit is connected to the data channel and is used to maintain the serial port data routing table according to user configuration. The serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message through the capability announcement channel. Other serial port servers, after receiving the signaling message sent by the device, reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel. The serial port data routing table includes the source device IP address, the source device source serial port number, the destination device IP address, the destination device destination serial port number, and the forwarding priority; The system is also used to perform a serial multicast communication method across multiple devices, the method comprising the following steps: S1, After the serial port server is powered on, it transmits capability announcement signaling to other serial port servers through the capability announcement channel; S2, the serial port server sends a device discovery signaling message. After receiving the signaling message sent by the device, other serial port servers in the local area network reply with a capability announcement signaling message through the capability announcement channel. S3, start data communication, control the display screen to send control commands, send data to the serial port server. After receiving the data, any serial port of the serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table through the serial port data forwarding unit and forwards the data to another arbitrary serial port, the host computer or another serial port server. When the serial port data forwarding unit of another serial port server receives data from the serial port server, the other serial port server queries its own serial port data routing table. If there is a corresponding forwarding entry, it forwards the data packet to the designated serial port; otherwise, it discards the data packet.

2. The serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The serial port servers establish connections with their respective host computers that need to communicate.

3. The serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The multiple serial port servers are connected via network communication, and the connection methods include Bluetooth, serial port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Zigbee.

4. A serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The capability announcement signaling includes the serial port server IP address, the serial port server's unique identifier, the number of serial ports, the serial port working type, and the serial port parameters.

5. A serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Step S1 specifically includes: The number of other serial port servers includes one or more.

6. A serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Step S2 specifically includes: All serial port servers periodically send keepalive heartbeat messages to indicate the current health status of the serial port servers; After receiving capability announcement signals from other serial port servers, the serial port server displays the neighboring nodes, the number of serial ports on each node, and the capabilities of each serial port on the configuration page.

7. A serial multicast communication system across multiple devices as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Step S3 specifically includes: When the serial port server's serial port data forwarding unit receives data from multiple serial ports simultaneously, it sorts the data according to forwarding priority and prioritizes forwarding data with higher forwarding priority.

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